: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
Examples of shocking in a Sentence
The number of young teenagers who smoke is shocking.
a shocking waste of money
The building is in a shocking state.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a shocking turn of events, Weems is Wednesday’s new spirit guide, or figure from beyond death who will help Wednesday with her psychic visions.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the biggest moment was her shocking termination as principal, which not only upset her fictional colleagues but also viewers.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
But for Jon Landau, invited by Bruce to come and observe, the scene at 914 was shocking.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Human rights advocates had braced for change under the Trump administration, but some say the scale of the cuts is still shocking.
—Graham Smith, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shocking
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Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the biggest moment was her shocking termination as principal, which not only upset her fictional colleagues but also viewers.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
But for Jon Landau, invited by Bruce to come and observe, the scene at 914 was shocking.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Human rights advocates had braced for change under the Trump administration, but some say the scale of the cuts is still shocking.
—Graham Smith, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocking. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
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